Seminole State receives Duke Energy grant for workforce development

Photo: Duke Energy lineman Joseph Brown climbs a pole to perform maintenance work. (Photo courtesy: Duke Energy)

Seminole State College of Florida has received a $10,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation to empower communities in Central Florida by a workforce jumpstart initiative. The initiative will assist adult education students who will be concurrently enrolled in select non-credit workforce certificate programs.

The School of Academic Foundations and workforce development departments have partnered to address the financial, academic and career readiness gaps experienced by students working to obtain their GED or high school diploma.

“This grant from the Duke Energy Foundation will provide support for a great pathway for our adult education students pursuing a high school diploma,” said Associate Vice President of the School of Academic Foundations Frank Bonjione. “By enrolling in the workforce certificate programs concurrently, the students can reach their goals of working a fulfilling and lucrative career faster, thus benefitting themselves, their families and our communities.”

This grant not only supports Seminole State’s workforce efforts, but also the mission of Governor Ron DeSantis for Florida to become the national leader in workforce education by 2030. Adult education students wishing to enroll concurrently in one of Seminole State’s workforce certificate programs can choose between electrical, HVAC or one of the building trade technologies. Through the jumpstart initiative, students can apply for financial assistance to help pay for their first semester of courses, labs and books.

Additionally, as official students enrolled in the certificate programs, the students will have access to other College academic resources including the Student Transition and Achievement Resources (STAR) Center and the Career Development Center. With these additional resources, students can prepare for either further schooling or their professional careers.

This is the fourth grant that the College has received from the Duke Energy Foundation since 2018.

To learn more about programs in Seminole State’s School of Academic Foundations, visit seminolestate.edu/adult-ed.